WILBUR
A. DROWN was born in Massachusetts in October of 1855 to Hannah
and Theodore Drown. His father worked as a carpenter. The family
was living in Chelsea, Massachusetts when the census was taken
in 1860. Wilbur Drown was the oldest child then at home. There
were two daughters as well, Estella and Caroline
"Carrie" Drown.

When
the census was taken in 1870, the Drown family had moved to
Hammonton, New Jersey. By 1878 they had moved to Camden. The
1878-1879 City Directory lists Theodore Drown, foreman, at 521 Main
Street. Wilbur Drown was living at the same address and
working as a carpenter. He married Emma Jackson in 1880. By the
time the 1882-1883 Camden City Directory was compiled Theodore
Drown had moved back to Hammonton. Wilbur and Emma Drown were
living at 327 Mount
Vernon Street in South Camden. A daughter, Elsie Drown, was
born in 1883. He was then working as a moulder. The Drowns
remained at 327 Mount
Vernon Street into 1888.

Wilbur
Drown was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in January of
1889 as an extra man with Engine
Company 1. He was still serving in that capacity in July of
1890. In that year Wilbur Drown went to work at the C.B. Coles
lumber yard at the foot of Kaighn Avenue. He remained an
employee of this firm for the rest of his days.

By
the time the 1890 Camden City Directory was compiled, the Drowns
had moved to 333 Mount
Vernon Street, where they remained through 1895. Theodore
Drown died on February 7, 1895 in Hammonton, New Jersey.

The
1896 Camden City Directory indicates that Wilbur Drown and
family had moved to 1030 South
3rd Street. The family was still at that address when the
Census was taken in 1900. By 1906 Wilbur Drown had moved to 834 Haddon
Avenue.

Wilbur
Drown died of a stroke while at work on June 15, 1915. He was
buried at Harleigh Cemetery.